And south suburban public officials showed up in masse to back the proposal, with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, arguing that planners are “biased” against the south suburbs.

The vote means the road will move to the next step, but by no means guarantees it will be built. The state now will formally seek private partners that would operate and collect tolls on the Illiana and finance much of its cost.

IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider said that if the private sector is not interested or comes up with poor terms, the state will pull the plug itself.

Approval of the Illiana also represents a significant boost for the proposed third regional airport at Peotone. The Illiana would pass just a mile or two from the proposed airfield.

Update: Mr. Quinn is out with a big attaboy for CMAP, saying in a statement, “Today marks a major victory for economic development and jobs in the Southland.”

However, Chicago's Environmental Law and Policy Center, an Illiana foe, is “reviewing all of our legal options,” according to deputy executive director Kevin Brubaker.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., said in a statement that "As we move forward on this important economic development project, I encourage the Illinois Department of Transportation to pursue a process that is transparent and innovative. Any potential deal should safeguard taxpayer funds as well as attract private investors."

Update — The Active Transportation Alliance, a bicycle and transit advocacy group, is dinging representatives of Metra and Pace for voting for the Illiana.

Transit agencies "aren't able to properly maintain their trains and buses now," the group said in a statement. "There is no excuse for Metra and Pace giving money away to the Illiana, which will serve fewer people than the CTA's Ashland Avenue bus route."

For the record, the state says Illiana (eventually) will pay for itself. But that's disputed by the CTA and Regional Transportation Authority, whose reps voted no.